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to die; go
Kanji 1475

Thank you for visiting this Character Home Page. Below you'll find a synopsis of the essay. If you wish to read the full text, the PDF of the essay is available for purchase to the right.

Synopsis

Japanese perceptions of death emerge in this essay. The kanji in certain terms imply that a dying person is going far away or will be gone forever. Somehow “early + life” means “early death.” People refer so casually to the “world of the dead” that that phrase ends up in ordinary sentences like “I can’t believe it’s been six years since my dad died.” And one book urges the elderly to die at home alone. 

Revision history:

Feb. 14, 2022: 

  • p. 2, Etymology Box: Updated the Henshall etymology and Sears link. 
  • p. 10: Added a link to the Kanshudo games.

May 11, 2018: Originally published.

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Kanji PDF
Cover of essay 1475 on 逝, to die, titled "Forever Gone"
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JOYO ON-YOMI
セイ
JOYO KUN-YOMI
ゆ-く, い-く
STROKES10
RADICAL辶 (162: movement)
JLPTN1
HALPERN1977/2673
HENSHALL1475/1581
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